A handshake and a WhatsApp message are not a lease. Before you move in with a new flatmate, working through a proper rental agreement checklist protects both your money and your peace of mind. Whether you're signing with a landlord directly or co-signing alongside your flatmates, this checklist covers everything you should confirm in writing before handing over a single rupee.
Core rental agreement checklist essentials
Every rental agreement, no matter how simple, should clearly spell out the basics. Skipping these details is how disputes start months later.
- Full legal names and contact details of the landlord and all tenants
- Exact monthly rent, due date, and accepted payment method
- Security deposit amount and the conditions for its return
- Lock-in period and notice period for vacating
- Maintenance charges and who is responsible for what repairs
- Furnishing and appliance inventory, ideally with photos attached
Flatmate-specific clauses often overlooked
A standard landlord-tenant agreement rarely addresses how flatmates share a home day to day. If you're moving in with roommates, it's worth drafting a simple house agreement alongside the formal lease that covers shared living specifically.
- How rent and utility bills will be split each month, and by when
- What happens if one flatmate wants to leave before the lease ends
- Guest policy and overnight-stay etiquette
- Shared chores or a cleaning rotation
- Rules around shared groceries versus individual food
Pro tip: Keep a separate one-page \"house rules\" document that all flatmates sign — it's not legally binding like the lease, but it prevents most day-to-day disagreements from ever reaching a dispute.
Verify the property and the paperwork
Before signing anything, confirm that the person listing the property actually has the right to rent it out. Ask for ownership proof or a copy of the landlord's ID, and cross-check the address against the listing photos. On FlatmatesHub, every listing carries a verified property listing badge, so you already know the flat and its owner have been checked — one less thing for you to independently confirm from scratch.
Why it matters: Most flatmate disputes over deposits and dues trace back to terms that were only ever agreed verbally — putting everything in writing turns assumptions into enforceable facts.
Read before you sign
Never sign an agreement you haven't fully read, even if the landlord or broker is rushing you. Ask for a soft copy in advance, read every clause, and don't hesitate to request changes to terms that feel one-sided, especially around deposit deductions and early exit penalties.
Document the move-in condition
On the day you move in, walk through the property with your flatmates and take dated photos or a short video of every room, noting any existing damage. This record becomes invaluable if there's a disagreement about deposit deductions when you eventually move out. Store copies of the signed agreement, payment receipts, and this move-in documentation somewhere all flatmates can access — in-app messaging and shared file storage on a flatmate platform make this far easier than scattered email threads.
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